A Harry Potter Confession ...

I have a confession to make.
It might be quite shocking.
Okay ...
here goes ...

I've never read any of the Harry Potter books.

Whew - feels good to get that off my chest.  It's actually quite unbelievable considering I'm an avid reader and have had at least 60 students read the series while in my class.  I have two full sets in my classroom library.  My husband has read all the books, and we have all the movies ... I've just never really wanted to read them.  I always figured I've heard enough book talks and read enough book reports to get by ... right?  WRONG!

A few weeks ago my oldest daughter (in grade 2) came home super excited to tell us that her teacher was reading them the first book, and when they finished the book they were going to have a Harry Potter party.  She was loving the book, so I shared in her joy, without revealing my little secret.  A few days after that she told me that all the students in her class had been grouped into "houses" and she was part of the Hufflepuff house.  Mmm hmmm ... sounds good, dear.  THEN she proceeded to tell me she had to dress like one of the characters from the Hufflepuff house for her party.  OH.  I had to admit to her that I had no idea who was in the Hufflepuff house.  After she got over her shock that there was a book I didn't know and love, we turned to the internet.



She ultimately decided she wanted to be Tonks.  (It looked like a pretty cool choice).  Well then the hunt for a costume began.  Do you know how hard it is to find a Halloweenish costume in June???  But, it's now the night before her big party, and I think we're set.  We had to enlist the mother-in-law's help to finish a cape, my husband whittled a wand (and has the blisters to prove it), and he had to take all three girls on a shopping trip while I was at graduation ... but we're ready.

I think she looks fantastic!  And she LOVES it - which is all that matters.



I wanted to do something special for her party, so I decided to make some treats.  Now keep in mind I only just finished writing my report cards 5 hours ago, so I was looking for something quick and easy.

I decided to make magic wands.  They were super easy to make, and thankfully didn't take a lot of time once I had tracked down the ingredients.  I melted some chocolate to dip the wafer straws in.  Then I rolled them in black sprinkles.  I used maple cookies for the tops (they were the closest in shape to stars, and I didn't want to make cookies from scratch).  I covered the maple cookies in white icing, then dipped them in yellow sugar.  Once the chocolate wafer straws had set, I dipped the ends in more melted chocolate so I could attach the stars to the top.  30 magic wands ... done!

So, I think I survived the whole "Harry Pottergate" incident unscathed.  But I have to admit, I've put it on my summer reading list.  And I need to finish it quickly because Elizabeth is already asking me to start reading the second book to her.  ;)